Modified coal production equipment

ABSTRACT

Modified coal production equipment comprising: first oxygen adsorption speed measuring means ( 141 - 144, 149   a,    149   b ), etc., that sort dried coal ( 3 ) dried in a drying device ( 112 ), and find the oxygen adsorption speed (Vd) of the dried coal ( 3 ); second oxygen adsorption speed measuring means ( 145 - 148, 149   a,    149   b ) that sort modified coal ( 7 ) deactivated by an deactivation treatment device ( 130 ), and find the oxygen adsorption speed (Vr) of the modified coal ( 7 ); and an arithmetic control device ( 150 ) that calculates the oxygen adsorption speed ratio (N) from formula (Vr−Vd)/Vd=N, on the basis of Vd and Vr, and, if N&gt;Ns (a standard value), reads from a map the increased oxygen concentration value (Oa) in a processing gas ( 106 ) corresponding to N, calculates a revised oxygen concentration value (Oc) on the basis of the current oxygen concentration value (Op) and Oa, and controls blowers ( 133, 135 ) so as to reach Oc.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to upgraded coal production equipment and is particularly useful when applied to a case of upgrading low-rank coal such as brown coal and subbituminous coal which is porous and which contains a large amount of moisture.

BACKGROUND ART

There are abundant reserves of low-rank coal which is coal containing a large amount of moisture such as brown coal and subbituminous coal. Meanwhile, the calorific value of the low-rank coal per unit weight is small. In view of this, the low-rank coal is heated to be subjected to drying processing and pyrolysis processing and is thereby improved in calorific value per unit weight.

In this connection, the heated low-rank coal tends to adsorb water. In addition, carboxylic groups and the like on a surface of the low-rank coal are removed, thereby forming radical and the like on the surface. This increases activity on the surface of the low-rank coal and accordingly makes the low-rank coal easily react with oxygen in the air. The low-rank coal may thus spontaneously combust due to reaction heat generated by the reaction.

To counter this problem, in, for example, Patent Literature 1 listed below or the like, pyrolysis coal obtained by subjecting the low-rank coal to drying, and pyrolysis is subjected to deactivation processing in which, by heating the pyrolysis (at about 150° C. to 170° C.) in a low-oxygen atmosphere (oxygen concentration around 10%), a surface of the pyrolysis coal is partially oxidized to reduce activity on the surface of the pyrolysis coal. As a result, upgraded coal whose spontaneous combustion is suppressed is produced.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. Hei     11-310785

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

The composition of the raw-material coal varies depending on a mine from which the coal is extracted. For this reason, for producing upgraded coal as described above, various processing conditions such as an oxygen concentration in an atmosphere of the deactivation processing, an atmosphere temperature, and a processing time are set such that the raw-material coal of even any composition can be deactivated sufficiently. Accordingly, even raw-material coal which can be sufficiently deactivated under relatively loose conditions is deactivated under relatively strict conditions, and there is a waste in processing cost.

In view of this, an object of the present invention is to provide upgraded coal production equipment capable of producing upgraded coal in a simple way by deactivating raw-material coal of various compositions under necessary and sufficient conditions.

Solution to Problem

Upgraded coal production equipment of a first aspect of the invention for solving the problem described above is upgraded coal production equipment including:

drying means for producing dry coal by removing moisture from raw-material coal;

pyrolysis means for producing pyrolysis coal by performing pyrolysis on the dry coal; and

deactivation processing means for producing upgraded coal by deactivating the pyrolysis coal by heating with processing gas containing oxygen, characterized in that the upgraded coal production equipment comprises:

first oxygen adsorption rate measuring means for collecting part of the dry coal dried by the drying means and obtaining an oxygen adsorption rate Vd of the dry coal;

second oxygen adsorption rate measuring means for collecting part of the upgraded coal deactivated in the deactivation processing means and obtaining an oxygen adsorption rate Vr of the upgraded coal; and

main arithmetic control means for: calculating an oxygen adsorption rate ratio N from the following oxygen adsorption rate ratio calculation formula on the basis of the oxygen adsorption rates Vd, Vr; if the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N is within a range of a standard value Ns, controlling the deactivation processing means such that a deactivation processing condition is maintained; if the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N is beyond the range of the standard value Ns, reading, from a map, an additional oxygen concentration value Oa to be applied to the processing gas correspondingly to the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N, calculating a corrected oxygen concentration value Oc in the processing gas on the basis of the additional oxygen concentration value Oa and a present oxygen concentration value Op in the processing gas, and controlling the deactivation processing means such that the processing gas is set to the corrected oxygen concentration value Oc; if the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N is below the range of the standard value Ns, reading, from a map, a decrease oxygen concentration value Od to be applied to the processing gas correspondingly to the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N, calculating the corrected oxygen concentration value Oc in the processing gas on the basis of the decrease oxygen concentration value Od and the present oxygen concentration value Op in the processing gas, and controlling the deactivation processing means such that the processing gas is set to the corrected oxygen concentration value Oc,

where the oxygen adsorption rate ratio calculation formula is

N=|(Vr−Vd)|/Vd.

Upgraded coal production equipment of a second aspect of the invention is the first aspect of the invention characterized in that when the corrected oxygen concentration value Oc exceeds an upper limit value Ou, the main arithmetic control means reads, from a map, an additional temperature value Ta to be applied to the processing gas correspondingly to the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N, calculates a corrected temperature value Tc on the basis of the additional temperature value Ta and a present temperature value Tp in the processing gas, and controls the deactivation processing means such that the processing gas is set to the corrected temperature value Tc.

Upgraded coal production equipment of a third aspect of the invention is the first or second aspect of the invention characterized in that the second oxygen adsorption rate measuring means obtains a new oxygen adsorption rate Vr_(n) of the upgraded coal by collecting part of the upgraded coal deactivated in the deactivation processing means, and then, every time a specific time Ts elapses, collecting again part of the upgraded coal newly deactivated in the deactivation processing means, and the main arithmetic control means: calculates a stability S from the following stability calculation formula on the basis of the current oxygen adsorption rate Vr_(n) newly obtained and the oxygen adsorption rate Vr_(n-1) obtained just before the current oxygen adsorption rate Vr_(n): if the stability S is within a range of a standard value Ss, recalculates the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N from the following oxygen adsorption rate ratio recalculation formula on the basis of the oxygen adsorption rates Vd, Vr_(n); and compares the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N with the standard value Ns again,

where the stability calculation formula is

S=∥(Vr _(n) −Vr _(n-1))|/Vr _(n), and

the oxygen adsorption rate ratio recalculation formula is

N=|(Vr _(n) −Vd)|/Vd.

Upgraded coal production equipment of a fourth aspect of the invention is any one of the first to third aspects of the invention characterized in that the first oxygen adsorption rate measuring means includes:

-   -   first sampling means for collecting the part of the dry coal         dried by the drying means as a sample;     -   first testing means for performing an oxygen adsorption test by         exposing the sample collected by the first sampling means to         oxygen containing gas at a test temperature for a test time Td;     -   first weighing means for measuring a weight Wd1 of the sample,         collected by the first sampling means, before the oxygen         adsorption test and a weight Wd2 of the sample after the oxygen         adsorption test; and first sub-arithmetic control means for         calculating the oxygen adsorption rate Vd of the dry coal from         the following dry coal oxygen adsorption rate calculation         formula on the basis of the weights Wd1, Wd2 measured by the         first weighing means, and

the second oxygen adsorption rate measuring means includes:

-   -   second sampling means for collecting the part of the upgraded         coal deactivated in the deactivation processing means as a         sample;     -   second testing means for performing an oxygen adsorption test by         exposing the sample collected by the second sampling means to         oxygen containing gas at a test temperature for a test time Tr;     -   second weighing means for measuring a weight Wr1 of the sample,         collected by the second sampling means, before the oxygen         adsorption test and a weight Wr2 of the sample after the oxygen         adsorption test; and     -   second sub-arithmetic control means for calculating the oxygen         adsorption rate Vr of the upgraded coal from the following         upgraded coal oxygen adsorption rate calculation formula on the         basis of the weights Wr1, Wr2 measured by the second weighing         means,

where the dry coal oxygen adsorption rate calculation formula is

Vd=(Wd2−Wd1)/(Wd1×Td)×100, and

the upgraded coal oxygen adsorption rate calculation formula is

Vr=(Wr2−Wr1)/(Wr1×Tr)×100.

Upgraded coal production equipment of a fifth aspect of the invention is anyone of the first to third aspects of the invention characterized in that the first oxygen adsorption rate measuring means includes:

-   -   first sampling means for collecting the part of the dry coal         dried by the drying means as a sample;     -   first weighing means for measuring a weight Wd1 of the sample         collected by the first sampling means;     -   first testing means for performing an oxygen adsorption test by         holding the sample collected by the first sampling means in an         air tight manner for a test time Td in an inside of the first         testing means filled with an oxygen containing atmosphere and         maintained at a constant temperature;     -   first pressure measuring means for measuring a pressure inside         the first testing means; and     -   first sub-arithmetic control means for calculating the oxygen         adsorption rate Vd of the dry coal from the following dry coal         oxygen adsorption rate calculation formula on the basis of the         weight Wd1 measured by the first weighing means as well as an         internal pressure Pd1 of the first testing means before the         oxygen adsorption test and an internal pressure Pd2 of the first         testing means just after the oxygen adsorption test which are         measured by the first pressure measuring means with the inside         of the first testing means held in the air tight manner while         being filled with the oxygen containing atmosphere and         maintained at the constant temperature,

the second oxygen adsorption rate measuring means includes:

-   -   second sampling means for collecting the part of the upgraded         coal deactivated in the deactivation processing means as a         sample;     -   second weighing means for measuring a weight Wr1 of the sample         collected by the second sampling means;     -   second testing means for performing the oxygen adsorption test         by holding the sample collected by the second sampling means in         an air tight manner for a test time Tr in an inside of the         second testing means filled with an oxygen containing atmosphere         and maintained at a constant temperature;     -   second pressure measuring means for measuring a pressure inside         the second testing means; and     -   second sub-arithmetic control means for calculating the oxygen         adsorption rate Vr of the upgraded coal from the following         upgraded coal oxygen adsorption rate calculation formula on the         basis of the weight Wr1 measured by the second weighing means as         well as an internal pressure Pr1 of the second testing means         before the oxygen adsorption test and an internal pressure Pr2         of the second testing means just after the oxygen adsorption         test which are measured by the second pressure measuring means         with the inside the second testing means held in the air tight         manner while being filled with the oxygen containing atmosphere         and maintained at the constant temperature,

where the dry coal oxygen adsorption rate calculation formula is

Vd=Qd/(Wd1×Td)×100, and

the upgraded coal oxygen adsorption rate calculation formula is

Vr=Qr/(Wr1×Tr)×100,

where Qd represents an oxygen adsorption quantity of the dry coal and Qr represents an oxygen adsorption quantity of the upgraded coal, Qd and Qr being values obtained from formulae shown below,

Qd=[{(Pd1−Pd2)/1013}×{Cd−(Wd1/D)}]/(22.4×Wd1),

Qr=[{(Pr1−Pr2)/1013}×{Cr−(Wr1/D)}]/(22.4×Wr1),

where Cd represents an internal capacity of the first testing means, Cr represents an internal capacity of the second testing means, and D represents a true density of the raw-material coal.

Upgraded coal production equipment of a sixth aspect of the invention is any one of the first to fifth aspects of the invention characterized in that the raw-material coal is brown coal or subbituminous coal.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The upgraded coal production equipment of the present invention can produce upgraded coal in a simple way by deactivating raw-material coal of various compositions under necessary and sufficient conditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a first embodiment of upgraded coal production equipment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a control flowchart of a main portion of the upgraded coal production equipment in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a control flowchart subsequent to FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a control flowchart subsequent to FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a second embodiment of upgraded coal production equipment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a control flowchart of a main portion of the upgraded coal production equipment in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a control flowchart subsequent to FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a control flowchart subsequent to FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of upgraded coal production equipment of the present invention are described based on the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below based on the drawings.

First Embodiment

A first embodiment of the upgraded coal production equipment of the present invention is described based on FIGS. 1 to 4.

As shown in FIG. 1, a delivery port of a mill-type pulverizer 111 configured to pulverize low-rank coal 1 which is raw-material coal such as subbituminous coal and brown coal is connected to a port of a drying device 112 for receiving the low-rank coal 1, via a rotary valve 121, the drying device 112 being a steam tube dryer system and configured to cause moisture 2 in the low-rank coal 1 to evaporate. Water vapor 101 which is a heat medium is supplied into a coil-shaped heating tube arranged in a center portion of the drying device 112, and the drying device 112 thereby heats (about 100° C.) the low-rank coal 1 and removes the moisture 2 from low-rank coal 1. The drying device 112 can thus produce dry coal 3.

A port of the drying device 112 for discharging the dry coal 3 is connected to an upstream side of a conveyor 113 in a conveyance direction via a rotary valve 122. A downstream side of the conveyor 113 in the conveyance direction is connected to a port of a pyrolysis device 114 for receiving the dry coal 3, via a rotary valve 123, the pyrolysis device 114 being a rotary kiln system and configured to perform pyrolysis on the dry coal 3. Combustion gas 102 which is a heating medium is supplied to a fixedly-supported outer jacket of the pyrolysis device 114, and the pyrolysis device 114 thereby performs heating pyrolysis (400° C. to 600° C.) on the dry coal 3 and removes volatile component 4 from the dry coal 3. The pyrolysis device 114 can thus produce pyrolysis coal 6.

A port of the pyrolysis device 114 for discharging the pyrolysis coal 6 is connected to an upstream side of a conveyor 115 in the conveyance direction via a rotary valve 124. A downstream side of the conveyor 115 in the conveyance direction is connected to a port of a cooling device 116 for receiving the pyrolysis coal 6, via a rotary valve 125, the cooling device 116 being a steam tube dryer system and configured to cool the pyrolysis coal 6. Cooling water 103 which is a cooling medium is supplied into a coil-shaped cooling pipe arranged in a center portion of the cooling device 116 and the cooling device 116 can thereby cool (100° C. or lower) the pyrolysis coal 6.

A port of the cooling device 116 for discharging the pyrolysis coal 6 is connected to a port of a device main body 131 of a deactivation processing device 130 for receiving pyrolysis coal 6, via a rotary valve 126, the deactivation processing device 130 being a deactivation processing device of a continuous processing type such as a circular grate type or a sintering machine type (mesh conveyor type) and configured to deactivate the pyrolysis coal 6. A nitrogen gas supply source 132 is connected to a lower portion of the device main body 131 via a blower 133 and a heater 134. A blower 135 configured to supply air 104 is connected to a portion between the blower 133 and the heater 134.

Specifically, activating the blowers 133, 135 causes the outside air 104 and nitrogen gas 105 which is inert gas from the nitrogen gas supply source 132 to mix with each other and produces processing gas 106 containing oxygen. Moreover, activating the heater 134 can heat the processing gas 106. The pyrolysis coal 6 in the device main body 131 is thus heated by the processing gas 106 and subjected to deactivation processing, and upgraded coal 7 can be thereby produced. Here, an oxygen gas concentration in the processing gas 106 can be adjusted by adjusting supply amounts of the nitrogen gas 105 and the air 104 from the blowers 133, 135, and the temperature of the processing gas 106 can be adjusted by adjusting the heater 134.

A port of the device main body 131 for discharging the upgraded coal 7 is connected to an upstream side of a conveyor 117 in the conveyance direction via a rotary valve 127. A downstream side of the conveyor 117 in the conveyance direction is connected to a port of a storage tank 118 for receiving the upgraded coal 7, via a rotary valve 128, the storage tank 118 configured to store the upgraded coal 7.

In such an embodiment, the pulverizer 111, the drying device 112, the conveyor 113, the rotary valves 121, 122, and the like form drying means; the pyrolysis device 114, the conveyor 115, the cooling device 116, the rotary valves 123 to 125, and the like form pyrolysis means; the deactivation processing device 130 including the device main body 131, the nitrogen gas supply source 132, the blowers 133, 135, the heater 134, and the like as well as the conveyor 117, the rotary valves 126, 127, and the like form deactivation processing means; and the storage tank 118, the rotary valve 128, and the like form storage means.

Moreover, a first sampling device 141 configured to collect part of the dry coal 3 dried by the drying device 112 as a sample 3 a is attached to the conveyor 113. A first sample moving device 142 configured to receive the sample 3 a from the first sampling device 141 and move the sample 3 a communicates with the first sampling device 141.

The first sample moving device 142 can communicate with a first testing device 143 configured to perform oxygen adsorption test on the sample 3 a collected by the first sampling device 141 and a first weighing device 144 configured to measure the weight of the sample 3 a, collected by the first sampling device 141, before the oxygen adsorption test and the weight of a sample 3 b after the oxygen adsorption test. A blower 149 a and a heater 149 b which supply the heated air 104 being oxygen containing gas into the first testing device 143 are connected to the first testing device 143.

Meanwhile, a second sampling device 145 configured to collect part of the upgraded coal 7 deactivated in the deactivation processing device 130 as a sample 7 a is attached to the conveyor 117. A second sample moving device 146 configured to receive the sample 7 a from the second sampling device 145 and move the sample 7 a communicates with the second sampling device 145.

The second sample moving device 146 can communicate with a second testing device 147 configured to perform the oxygen adsorption test on the sample 7 a collected by the second sampling device 145 and a second weighing device 148 configured to measure the weight of the sample 7 a, collected by the second sampling device 145, before the oxygen adsorption test and the weight of a sample 7 b after the oxygen adsorption test. The blower 149 a and the heater 149 b which supply the heated air 104 into the second testing device 147 are connected to the second testing device 147.

The weighing devices 144, 148 are electrically connected to an input portion of an arithmetic control device 150 including a timer and the like. An output portion of the arithmetic control device 150 is electrically connected to the blowers 133, 135, the heater 134, the sampling devices 141, 145, the sample moving devices 142, 146, the testing devices 143, 147, the blower 149 a, and the heater 149 b. The arithmetic control device 150 can control operations of the sampling devices 141, 145, the sample moving devices 142, 146, the testing devices 143, 147, the blower 149 a, the heater 149 b, and the like on the basis of information from the timer and the like, and can also control operations of the blowers 133, 135, the heater 134, and the like on the basis of information from the weighing devices 144, 148 and the like (details will be described later).

In such an embodiment, the first sampling device 141 and the like form first sampling means; the first sample moving device 142 and the like form first sample moving means; the first testing device 143, the blower 149 a, the heater 149 b, and the like form first testing means; the first weighing device 144 and the like form first weighing means; the second sampling device 145 and the like form second sampling means; the second sample moving device 146 and the like form second sample moving means; the second testing device 147, the blower 149 a, the heater 149 b, and the like form second testing means; the second weighing device 148 and the like form second weighing means; the arithmetic control device 150 and the like are configured to serve as main arithmetic control means, first sub-arithmetic control means, and second sub-arithmetic control means; the first sampling means, the first sample moving means, the first testing means, the first weighing means, the first sub-arithmetic control means, and the like form first oxygen adsorption rate measuring means; and the second sampling means, the second sample moving means, the second testing means, the second weighing means, the second sub-arithmetic control means, and the like form second oxygen adsorption rate measuring means.

Next, operations of the aforementioned upgraded coal production equipment 100 of the embodiment are described.

When the low-rank coal 1 is supplied to the hopper 111 a of the pulverizer 111, the pulverizer 111 pulverizes the low-rank coal 1 to a predetermined grain size and supplies the low-rank coal 1 to the drying device 112 via the rotary valve 121. The drying device 112 heats and dries (about 100° C.) the low-rank coal 1 by using the heat of the water vapor 101 and removes the moisture 2 to produce the dry coal 3. Thereafter, the drying device 112 supplies the dry coal 3 to the conveyor 113 via the rotary valve 122. The conveyor 113 supplies the dry coal 3 to the pyrolysis device 114 via the rotary valve 123.

The pyrolysis device 114 performs heating pyrolysis (400° C. to 600° C.) on the dry coal 3 by using the heat of the combustion gas 102 and removes the volatile component 4 to produce the pyrolysis coal 6. Thereafter, the pyrolysis device 114 supplies the pyrolysis coal 6 to the conveyor 115 via the rotary valve 124. The conveyor 115 supplies the pyrolysis coal 6 to the cooling device 116 via the rotary valve 125.

The cooling device 116 cools (100° C. or lower) the pyrolysis coal 6 by using the cooling water 103 and then supplies the pyrolysis coal 6 into the device main body 131 of the deactivation processing device 130 via the rotary valve 126.

The deactivation processing device 130 heats (50° C.) the processing gas 106 (oxygen concentration: 1.5%) obtained by mixing the outside air 104 and the nitrogen gas 105 from the nitrogen gas supply source 132 and supplies the processing gas 106 into the device main body 131 by using the heater 134 and the blowers 133, 135. The deactivation processing device 130 thereby heats the pyrolysis coal 6 in the device main body 131 and deactivates the pyrolysis coal 6 to produce the upgraded coal 7. Thereafter, the deactivation processing device 130 supplies the upgraded coal 7 to the conveyor 117 via the rotary valve 127. The conveyor 117 supplies the upgraded coal 7 to the storage tank 118 via the rotary valve 128 and the upgraded coal 7 is stored therein.

As described above, in the production of the upgraded coal 7, the arithmetic control device 150 controls the operation of the first sampling device 141 such that the first sampling device 141 collects part of the dry coal 3 dried by the drying device 112 from the conveyor 113 as the sample 3 a (S101 in FIG. 2), and then controls the operation of the first sample moving device 142 such that the first sample moving device 142 receives the collected sample 3 a from the first sampling device 141.

Thereafter, the arithmetic control device 150 controls the operation of the first sample moving device 142 such that the weight Wd1 (g) of the sample 3 a is measured by the first weighing device 144 (S102 in FIG. 2), and then controls the operation of the first sample moving device 142 such that the first sample moving device 142 moves the sample 3 a whose weight has been measured into the first testing device 143.

Next, the arithmetic control device 150 controls the operations of the blower 149 a and the heater 149 b such that the air 104 heated to a predetermined test temperature (for example, 95° C.) is supplied into the first testing device 143, and thereby exposes the sample 3 a to the air 104 of the test temperature to perform the oxygen adsorption test (S103 in FIG. 2).

Then, when a predetermined test time Td (min.) (for example, 30 minutes) elapses, the arithmetic control device 150 controls the operation of the first sample moving device 142, on the basis of information from the timer, such that the first sample moving device 142 moves the sample 3 b subjected to the oxygen adsorption test from the inside of the first testing device 143 to the first weighing device 144. After the weight Wd2 (g) of the sample 3 b is measured by the first weighing device 144 (S104 in FIG. 2), the arithmetic control device 150 controls the operation of the first sample moving device 142 such that the first sample moving device 142 discharges the sample 3 b to the outside of the system.

When the weights Wd1, Wd2 respectively of the samples 3 a, 3 b are measured as described above, the arithmetic control device 150 calculates an oxygen adsorption rate Vd (wt %/min.) of the dry coal 3 from the following dry coal oxygen adsorption rate calculation formula (11) on the basis of the weights Wd1, Wd2 (S105 in FIG. 2).

Vd=(Wd2−Wd1)/(Wd1×Td)×100  (11)

Moreover, the arithmetic control device 150 controls the operation of the second sampling device 145 such that the second sampling device 145 collects part of the upgraded coal 7 deactivated in the device main body 131 of the deactivation processing device 130 from the conveyor 117 as the sample 7 a (S106 in FIG. 2), and then controls the operation of the second sample moving device 146 such that the second sample moving device 146 receives the collected sample 7 a from the second sampling device 145.

Thereafter, the arithmetic control device 150 controls the operation of the second sample moving device 146 such that the weight Wr1 (g) of the sample 7 a is measured by the second weighing device 148 (S107 in FIG. 2), and then controls the operation of the second sample moving device 146 such that the second sample moving device 146 moves the sample 7 a whose weight has been measured into the second testing device 147.

Next, the arithmetic control device 150 controls the operations of the blower 149 a and the heater 149 b such that the air 104 heated to the predetermined temperature (for example, 95° C.) is supplied into the second testing device 147, and thereby exposes the sample 7 a to the air 104 of the test temperature to perform oxygen adsorption test (S108 in FIG. 2).

Then, when a predetermined test time Tr (min.) (for example, 30 minutes) elapses, the arithmetic control device 150 controls the operation of the second sample moving device 146, on the basis of information from the timer, such that the second sample moving device 146 moves the sample 7 b subjected to the adsorption test from the inside of the second testing device 147 to the second weighing device 148. After the weight Wr2 (g) of the sample 7 b is measured by the second weighing device 148 (S109 in FIG. 2), the arithmetic control device 150 controls the operation of the second sample moving device 146 such that the second sample moving device 146 discharges the sample 7 b to the outside of the system.

When the weights Wr1, Wr2 respectively of the samples 7 a, 7 b are measured as described above, the arithmetic control device 150 calculates the oxygen adsorption rate Vr (wt %/min.) of the upgraded coal 7 from the following upgraded coal oxygen adsorption rate calculation formula (12) (S110 in FIG. 2) on the basis of the weights Wr1, Wr2.

Vr=(Wr2−Wr1)/(Wr1×Tr)×100  (12)

When the oxygen adsorption rate Vd of the dry coal 3 and the oxygen adsorption rate Vr of the upgraded coal are obtained as described above, the arithmetic control device 150 calculates an oxygen adsorption rate ratio N from the following oxygen adsorption rate ratio calculation formula (13) on the basis of the oxygen adsorption rates Vd, Vr (S111 in FIG. 2).

N=|(Vr−Vd)|/Vd  (13)

Then, the arithmetic control device 150 determines whether the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N is within a range of a standard value Ns (for example, 0 to 0.05) (S112 in FIG. 2). If the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N is within the range of the standard value Ns, the arithmetic control device 150 determines that the deactivation processing is performed properly and controls the operations of the blowers 133, 135 and the heater 134 of the deactivation processing device 130 such that deactivation processing conditions are maintained as they are (S113 in FIG. 2).

Meanwhile, if the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N is outside the range of the standard value Ns, the arithmetic control device 150 determines whether the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N is beyond the range of the standard value Ns (S114 in FIG. 3). If the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N is beyond the range of the standard value Ns (N>Ns), the arithmetic control device 150 determines that the deactivation processing is insufficient, reads, from a map inputted in advance, an additional oxygen concentration value Oa to be applied the processing gas 106 correspondingly to the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N (S115 in FIG. 3), and calculates a corrected oxygen concentration value Oc in the processing gas 106 on the basis of the additional oxygen concentration value Oa and a present oxygen concentration value Op in the processing gas 106 (S116 in FIG. 3).

Next, the arithmetic control device 150 determines whether the corrected oxygen concentration value Oc is equal to or smaller than an upper limit value Ou (for example, 10%) (S117 in FIG. 3). When the corrected oxygen concentration value Oc is equal to or smaller than the upper limit value Ou (Oc≦Ou), the arithmetic control device 150 controls the operations of the blowers 133, 135 of the deactivation processing device 130 such that the processing gas 106 is set to the corrected oxygen concentration value Oc (S118 in FIG. 3).

When the corrected oxygen concentration value Oc exceeds the upper limit value Ou (Oc≧Ou), the arithmetic control device 150 determines that handling the matter by increasing the oxygen concentration of the processing gas 106 is inappropriate, reads, from a map inputted in advance, an additional temperature value Ta to be applied to the processing gas 106 correspondingly to the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N (S119 in FIG. 3), and calculates a corrected temperature value Tc of the processing gas 106 on the basis of the additional temperature value Ta and a present temperature value Tp in the processing gas 106 (S120 in FIG. 3).

Next, the arithmetic control device 150 determines whether the corrected temperature value Tc is equal to or smaller than an upper limit value Tu (for example, 95° C.) (S121 in FIG. 3). When the corrected temperature value Tc is equal to or smaller than the upper limit value Tu (Tc≦Tu), the arithmetic control device 150 controls the operation of the heater 134 of the deactivation processing device 130 such that the processing gas 106 is set to the corrected temperature value Tc (S122 in FIG. 3).

When the corrected temperature value Tc exceeds the upper limit value Tu (Tc>Tu), the arithmetic control device 150 determines that the deactivation processing cannot be appropriately performed due to some reason and transmits a command required for suspending the production of the upgraded coal 7 (S123 in FIG. 3).

Moreover, if the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N is below the range of the standard value Ns (N<Ns) in step S114 described above, the arithmetic control device 150 determines that the deactivation processing is excessively performed, reads, from a map inputted in advance, a decrease oxygen concentration value Od to be applied to the processing gas 106 correspondingly to the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N (S124 in FIG. 3), calculates the corrected oxygen concentration value Oc in the processing gas 106 on the basis of the decrease oxygen concentration value Od and the present oxygen concentration value Op in the processing gas 106 (S125 in FIG. 3), and controls the operations of the blowers 133, 135 of the deactivation processing device 130 such that the processing gas is set to the corrected oxygen concentration value Oc (S118 in FIG. 3).

When a specific time Ts (for example, one hour) elapses from the collection of the upgraded coal 7 (S126 in FIG. 4) while the arithmetic control device 150 is controlling the operations of the blowers 133, 135 and the heater 134 of the deactivation processing device 130 such that the deactivation processing is appropriately performed, as in steps S106 to S110 described above, the arithmetic control device 150 collects again part of the upgraded coal 7 newly deactivated in the deactivation processing device 130 as a sample 7 a _(n) (S127 in FIG. 4), measures the weight Wr1_(n) (g) of the sample 7 a _(n) before the oxygen adsorption test (S128 in FIG. 4), performs the oxygen adsorption test on the sample 7 a _(n) (S129 in FIG. 4), then measures the weight Wr2_(n) (g) of a sample 7 b _(n) after the oxygen adsorption test (S130 in FIG. 4), and calculates a new oxygen adsorption rate Vr_(n) (wt %/min.) of the upgraded coal 7 again from the following formula (14) similar to the formula (12), on the basis of the weights Wr1_(n), Wr2_(n) (S131 in FIG. 4).

Vr _(n)=(Wr2_(n) −Wr1_(n))/(Wr1_(n) ×Tr)×100  (14)

Next, the arithmetic control device 150 calculates a stability S of the deactivation processing from the following stability calculation formula (15), on the basis of the current oxygen adsorption rate Vr_(n) newly-obtained and an oxygen adsorption rate Vr_(n-1) (Vr in this case) obtained just before the current oxygen adsorption rate Vr_(n) (S132 in FIG. 4).

S=|(Vr _(n) −Vr _(n-1))|/Vr _(n)  (15)

Then, the arithmetic control device 150 determines whether the stability S is within a range of a standard value Ss (for example, 0 to 0.01) (S133 in FIG. 4). If the stability S is within the range of the standard value Ss, the arithmetic control device 150 determines that the deactivation processing is in a stable state in which the processing is stably performed. Then, the arithmetic control device 150 recalculates the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N from the following oxygen adsorption rate ratio recalculation formula (16) similar to the formula (13), on the basis of the oxygen adsorption rate Vd obtained from the samples 3 a, 3 b of the dry coal 3 and the oxygen adsorption rate Vr_(n) newly obtained from the samples 7 a _(n), 7 b _(n) of the new upgraded coal 7 which are collected again in the current test (S134 in FIG. 4), and thereafter returns to step S112 described above.

N=|(Vr _(n) −Vd)|/Vd  (16)

Meanwhile, if the stability S is within the range of the standard value Ss, the arithmetic control device 150 determines that the deactivation processing is in a transition state in which the processing is unstable and that appropriate determination cannot be performed. The arithmetic control device 150 then returns to step S126 described above and performs steps S127 to S133 described above again.

Accordingly, in the upgraded coal production equipment 100 of the embodiment, even when the composition of the low-rank coal 1 varies, the deactivation processing can be performed in a simple way under necessary and sufficient conditions corresponding to the composition of the low-rank coal 1.

Hence, in the upgraded coal production equipment 100 of the embodiment, upgraded coal can be produced in a simple way at a low cost from the low-rank coal 1 of various compositions.

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment of the upgraded coal production equipment of the present invention is described based on FIGS. 5 to 8. Note that parts similar to those in the aforementioned embodiment are denoted by reference numerals similar to the reference numerals used in the description of the aforementioned embodiment, and description overlapping the description of the aforementioned embodiment is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first sample moving device 142 configured to receive the sample 3 a from the first sampling device 141 and move the sample 3 a can communicate with: a first testing device 243 which is the first testing means and which performs the oxygen adsorption test by holding the sample 3 a collected by the first sampling device 141 in an air-tight manner in an inside of the first testing device 243 filled with an air atmosphere being an oxygen containing atmosphere and maintained at a constant temperature (for example, 20° C.); and the first weighing device 144 which measures the weight of the sample 3 a collected by the first sampling device 141. A pressure sensor 243 a which is first pressure measuring means and which measures the pressure inside the first testing device 243 is provided in the first testing device 243.

Moreover, the second sample moving device 146 configured to receive the sample 7 a from the second sampling device 145 and move the sample 7 a can communicate with: a second testing device 247 which is the second testing means and which performs the oxygen adsorption test by holding the sample 7 a collected by the second sampling device 145 in an air-tight manner in an inside of the second testing device 247 filled with an air atmosphere being an oxygen containing atmosphere and maintained at a constant temperature (for example, 20° C.); and the second weighing device 148 which measures the weight of the sample 7 a collected by the second sampling device 145. A pressure sensor 247 a which is second pressure measuring means and which measures the pressure inside the second testing device 247 is provided in the second testing device 247.

The pressure sensors 243 a, 247 a are electrically connected to an input portion of an arithmetic control device 250 including a timer and the like, together with the weighing devices 144, 148. An output portion of the arithmetic control device 250 is electrically connected to the blowers 133, 135, the heater 134, the sampling devices 141, 145, and the sample moving devices 142, 146, together with the testing devices 243, 247. The arithmetic control device 250 can control the operations of the sampling devices 141, 145, the sample moving devices 142, 146, the testing devices 243, 247, and the like on the basis of information from the timer and the like, and can also control the operations of the blowers 133, 135, the heater 134, and the like on the basis of information from the weighing devices 144, 148, the pressure sensors 243 a, 247 a, and the like (details will be described later).

In such an embodiment, the arithmetic control device 250 and the like are configured to serve as the main arithmetic control means, the first sub-arithmetic control means, and the second sub-arithmetic control means.

Next, operations of the aforementioned upgraded coal production equipment 200 of the embodiment are described.

When the low-rank coal 1 is supplied to the hopper 111 a of the pulverizer 111, like the upgraded coal production equipment 100 of the aforementioned embodiment, the upgraded coal production equipment 200 of the embodiment removes the moisture 2 from the low-rank coal 1 to produce the dry coal 3, performs pyrolysis on the dry coal 3 to produce the pyrolysis coal 6, and deactivates the pyrolysis coal 6 by heating the pyrolysis coal 6 with the processing gas 106 to produce the upgraded coal 7, and stores the upgraded coal 7 in the storage tank 118.

Moreover, as in the aforementioned embodiment, the arithmetic control device 250 controls the operation of the first sampling device 141 such that the first sampling device 141 collects part of the dry coal 3 dried by the drying device 112 from the conveyor 113 as the sample 3 a (S201 in FIG. 6), and then controls the operation of the first sample moving device 142 such that the first sample moving device 142 receives the collected sample 3 a from the first sampling device 141.

Next, as in the aforementioned embodiment, the arithmetic control device 250 controls the operation of the first sample moving device 142 such that the weight Wd1 (g) of the sample 3 a is measured by the first weighing device 144 (S202 in FIG. 6), then controls the operation of the first sample moving device 142 such that the measured sample 3 a is sealed inside the first testing device 243, and measures an internal pressure Pd1 (hPa) of the first testing device 243 before the oxygen adsorption test on the basis of information from the pressure sensor 243 a (S203 in FIG. 6).

Next, after the oxygen adsorption test is performed (S204 in FIG. 6) by holding the sample 3 a inside the first testing device 243 in an air-tight manner in the air atmosphere at the constant temperature for a predetermined test time Td (min.) (for example, 10 minutes) on the basis of information from the timer, the arithmetic control device 250 measures an internal pressure Pd2 (hPa) of the first testing device 243 after the oxygen adsorption test on the basis of information from the pressure sensor 243 a (S205 in FIG. 6), and controls the operation of the first sample moving device 142 such that the first sample moving device 142 discharges the sample 3 b subjected to the oxygen adsorption test from the inside of the first testing device 243 to the outside of the system.

When the weight Wd1 of the sample 3 a and the internal pressures Pd1, Pd2 of the first testing device 243 before and after the oxygen adsorption test are measured as described above, the arithmetic control device 250 calculates the oxygen adsorption rate Vd (wt %/min.) of the dry coal 3 from the following dry coal oxygen adsorption rate calculation formulae (21), (22) on the basis of the weight Wd1 and the internal pressures Pd1, Pd2 (S206 in FIG. 6).

Vd=Qd/(Wd1×Td)×100  (21)

In this formula, Qd represents an oxygen adsorption quantity (mmol-O₂/g-coal) of the dry coal 3 and is a value obtained from the following formula (22).

Qd=[{(Pd1−Pd2)/1013}×{Cd−(Wd1/D)}]/(22.4×Wd1)  (22)

In this formula, Cd represents the internal capacity (cm³) of the first testing device 243 and D represents the true density (g/cm³) of the low-rank coal 1. Cd and D are both values obtained in advance.

Moreover, as in the aforementioned embodiment, the arithmetic control device 250 controls the operation of the second sampling device 145 such that the second sampling device 145 collects part of the upgraded coal 7 deactivated in the deactivation processing device 130 from the conveyor 117 as the sample 7 a (S207 in FIG. 6), and then controls the operation of the second sample moving device 146 such that the second sample moving device 146 receives the collected sample 7 a from the second sampling device 145.

Thereafter, as in the aforementioned embodiment, the arithmetic control device 250 controls the operation of the second sample moving device 146 such that the weight Wr1 (g) of the sample 7 a is measured by the second weighing device 148 (S208 in FIG. 6), then controls the operation of the second sample moving device 146 such that the sample 7 a whose weight has been measured is sealed inside the second testing device 247, and measures an internal pressure Pr1 (hPa) of the second testing device 247 before the oxygen adsorption test on the basis of information from the pressure sensor 247 a (S209 in FIG. 6).

Next, after the oxygen adsorption test is performed (S210 in FIG. 6) by holding the sample 7 a inside the second testing device 247 in an air-tight manner in the air atmosphere at the constant temperature for a predetermined test time Tr (min.) (for example, 10 minutes) on the basis of information from the timer, the arithmetic control device 250 measures an internal pressure Pr2 (hPa) of the second testing device 247 after the oxygen adsorption test on the basis of information from the pressure sensor 247 a (S211 in FIG. 6), and controls the operation of the second sample moving device 146 such that the second sample moving device 146 discharges the sample 7 a subjected to the oxygen adsorption test from the inside of the second testing device 247 to the outside of the system.

When the weight Wr1 of the sample 7 a and the internal pressures Pr1, Pr2 of the second testing device 247 before and after the oxygen adsorption test are measured as described above, the arithmetic control device 250 calculates the oxygen adsorption rate Vr (wt %/min.) of the upgraded coal 7 from the following upgraded coal oxygen adsorption rate calculation formula (23) on the basis of the weight Wr1 and the internal pressures Pr1, Pr2 (S212 in FIG. 6).

Vr=Qr/(Wr1×Tr)×100  (23)

In this formula, Qr represents an oxygen adsorption quantity (mmol-O₂/g-coal) of the upgraded coal 7 and is a value obtained from the following formula (24).

Qr=[{(Pr1−Pr2)/1013}×{Cr−(Wr1/D)}]/(22.4×Wr1)  (24)

In this formula, Cr represents the internal capacity (cm³) of the second testing device 247 and is a value obtained in advance.

When the oxygen adsorption rate Vd of the dry coal 3 and the oxygen adsorption rate Vr of the upgraded coal are obtained as described above, as in the aforementioned embodiment, the arithmetic control device 250 calculates the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N from the oxygen adsorption rate ratio calculation formula (13) on the basis of the oxygen adsorption rates Vd, Vr (S111 in FIG. 6).

Next, the arithmetic control device 250 performs steps S112 to S126 described above as in the aforementioned embodiment (see FIGS. 6 to 8).

Then, as in the aforementioned embodiment, when the specific time Ts (for example, one hour) elapses from the collection of the upgraded coal 7 (S126 in FIG. 8) while the arithmetic control device 250 is controlling the operations of the blowers 133, 135 and the heater 134 of the deactivation processing device 130 such that the deactivation processing is appropriately performed, as in steps S207 to S212 described above, the arithmetic control device 250 collects again part of the upgraded coal 7 newly deactivated in the deactivation processing device 130 as the sample 7 a _(n) (S213 in FIG. 8), measures the weight Wr1_(n) (g) of the sample 7 a _(n) before the oxygen adsorption test (S214 in FIG. 8), measures the internal pressure Pr1_(n) before the oxygen adsorption test of the second testing device 247 held in an air-tight manner in the air atmosphere at the constant temperature (S215 in FIG. 8), then performs the oxygen adsorption test on the sample 7 a _(n) (S216 in FIG. 8), measures the internal pressure Pr2_(n) just after the oxygen adsorption test (S217 in FIG. 8), and calculates a new oxygen adsorption rate Vr_(n) (wt %/min.) of the upgraded coal 7 again from the following formula (25) similar to the formula (23), on the basis of the weights Wr1_(n) and the internal pressures PR1_(n), Pr2_(n) (S218 in FIG. 8).

Vr _(n) =Qr _(n)/(Wr1_(n) ×Tr)×100  (25)

In this formula, Qr_(n) is an oxygen adsorption quantity (mmol-O₂/g-coal) of the new upgraded coal 7 collected again and is a value obtained from the following formula (26) similar to the formula (24).

Qr _(n)=[{(Pr1_(n) −Pr2_(n))/1013}×{Cr−(Wr1_(n) /D)}]/(22.4×Wr1_(n))  (26)

Next, as in the aforementioned embodiment, the arithmetic control device 250 calculates the stability S from the formula (15) on the basis of the current oxygen adsorption rate Vr_(n) newly-obtained and the oxygen adsorption rate Vr_(n-1) (Vr in this case) obtained just before the current oxygen adsorption rate Vr_(n) (S132 in FIG. 8).

Then, as in the aforementioned embodiment, the arithmetic control device 250 performs steps S133, S134 described above (see FIG. 8). Hereafter, the arithmetic control device 250 controls the operations as in the aforementioned embodiment (see FIGS. 6 to 8).

Accordingly, in the upgraded coal production equipment 200 of the embodiment, even when the composition of the low-rank coal 1 varies, the deactivation processing can be performed in a simple way under necessary and sufficient conditions corresponding to the composition of the low-rank coal 1, as in the upgraded coal production equipment 100 of the aforementioned embodiment.

Hence, in the upgraded coal production equipment 200 of the embodiment, upgraded coal can be produced in a simple way at a low cost from the low-rank coal 1 of various compositions, as in the upgraded coal production equipment 100 of the aforementioned embodiment.

Other Embodiment

In the aforementioned embodiments, description is given of the upgraded coal production equipment 100, 200 including the pulverizer 111 and the cooling device 116. However, depending on the state of the low-rank coal 1 and various conditions such as pyrolysis conditions, the pulverizer 111 and the cooling device 116 can be omitted.

Moreover, in the aforementioned embodiments, the arithmetic control device 150, 250 is configured to serve as the main arithmetic control means, the first sub-arithmetic control means, and the second sub-arithmetic control means. However, as another embodiment, for example, the main arithmetic control means, the first sub-arithmetic control means, and the second sub-arithmetic control means may be configured to be independent from one another.

Moreover, in the embodiments described above, the first sample moving device 142 moves the sample 3 a collected by the first sampling device 141 to the first weighing device 144 and the first testing device 143, 243, and the second sample moving device 146 moves the sample 7 a collected by the second sampling device 145 to the second weighing device 148 and the second testing device 147, 247. However, as another embodiment, for example, the sample 3 a collected by the first sampling means and the sample 7 a collected by the second sampling means may be moved by the same sample moving means, a single weighing means may be configured to serve as the first weighing means and the second weighing means, and a single testing means may be configured to serve as the first testing means and second testing means.

Furthermore, in the aforementioned embodiments, the processing gas 106 having the predetermined oxygen concentration is produced by mixing the nitrogen gas 105 and the air 104 together. However, as another embodiment, for example, the processing gas 106 having the predetermined oxygen concentration may be produced by mixing the nitrogen gas 105 and oxygen gas together. However, producing the processing gas 106 having the predetermined oxygen concentration by mixing the nitrogen gas 105 and the air 104 together as in the aforementioned embodiments is very preferable because there is no need to prepare the oxygen gas.

Moreover, a nitrogen gas cylinder or the like prepared only for production of the processing gas 106 may be used as the nitrogen gas supply source 132 as a matter of course. Alternatively, for example, it is possible to use pyrolysis gas (main component: nitrogen gas) which is sent out from the pyrolysis device performing the pyrolysis of the low-rank coal by using nitrogen gas supplied thereto and which is then subjected to removal of volatile components, dusts, and the like. In this case, it is possible to reduce heat energy to be newly added to the processing gas 106 to perform the deactivation processing.

Moreover, in the aforementioned embodiments, description is given of the case where the low-rank coal 1 is dried and subjected to the pyrolysis and then deactivated to produce the upgraded coal 7. However, the present invention is not limited to this case and can be applied to any case where raw-material coal is dried and subjected to the pyrolysis and then deactivated to produce upgraded coal, as in the aforementioned embodiments.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Since the upgraded coal production equipment of the present invention can produce the upgraded coal by deactivating raw-material coal of various compositions in a simple way at low cost, the present invention can be very useful in industries.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   1 low-rank coal -   2 moisture -   3 dry coal -   3 a, 3 b sample -   4 volatile component -   6 pyrolysis coal -   7 upgraded coal -   7 a, 7 b sample -   100 upgraded coal production equipment -   101 water vapor -   102 combustion gas -   103 cooling water -   104 air -   105 nitrogen gas -   106 processing gas -   111 pulverizer -   111 a hopper -   112 drying device -   113 conveyor -   114 pyrolysis device -   115 conveyor -   116 cooling device -   117 conveyor -   118 storage tank -   121 to 128 rotary valve -   130 deactivation processing device -   131 device main body -   132 nitrogen gas supply source -   133 blower -   134 heater -   135 blower -   141 first sampling device -   142 first sample moving device -   143 first testing device -   144 first weighing device -   145 second sampling device -   146 second sample moving device -   147 second testing device -   148 second weighing device -   149 a blower -   149 b heater -   150 arithmetic control device -   200 upgraded coal production equipment -   243 first testing device -   243 a pressure sensor -   247 second testing device -   247 a pressure sensor -   250 arithmetic control device 

1. Upgraded coal production equipment including: drying means for producing dry coal by removing moisture from raw-material coal; pyrolysis means for producing pyrolysis coal by performing pyrolysis on the dry coal; and deactivation processing means for producing upgraded coal by deactivating the pyrolysis coal by heating with processing gas containing oxygen; first oxygen adsorption rate measuring means for collecting part of the dry coal dried by the drying means and obtaining an oxygen adsorption rate Vd of the dry coal; second oxygen adsorption rate measuring means for collecting part of the upgraded coal deactivated in the deactivation processing means and obtaining an oxygen adsorption rate Vr of the upgraded coal; and main arithmetic control means for: calculating an oxygen adsorption rate ratio N from the following oxygen adsorption rate ratio calculation formula on the basis of the oxygen adsorption rates Vd, Vr; if the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N is within a range of a standard value Ns, controlling the deactivation processing means such that a deactivation processing condition is maintained; if the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N is beyond the range of the standard value Ns, reading, from a map, an additional oxygen concentration value Oa to be applied to the processing gas correspondingly to the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N, calculating a corrected oxygen concentration value Oc in the processing gas on the basis of the additional oxygen concentration value Oa and a present oxygen concentration value Op in the processing gas, and controlling the deactivation processing means such that the processing gas is set to the corrected oxygen concentration value Oc; if the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N is below the range of the standard value Ns, reading, from a map, a decrease oxygen concentration value Od to be applied to the processing gas correspondingly to the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N, calculating the corrected oxygen concentration value Oc in the processing gas on the basis of the decrease oxygen concentration value Od and the present oxygen concentration value Op in the processing gas, and controlling the deactivation processing means such that the processing gas is set to the corrected oxygen concentration value Oc, where the oxygen adsorption rate ratio calculation formula is N=|(Vr−Vd)|/Vd.
 2. The upgraded coal production equipment according to claim 1, wherein when the corrected oxygen concentration value Oc exceeds an upper limit value Ou, the main arithmetic control means reads, from a map, an additional temperature value Ta to be applied to the processing gas correspondingly to the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N, calculates a corrected temperature value Tc on the basis of the additional temperature value Ta and a present temperature value Tp in the processing gas, and controls the deactivation processing means such that the processing gas is set to the corrected temperature value Tc.
 3. The upgraded coal production equipment according to claim 1, wherein the second oxygen adsorption rate measuring means obtains a new oxygen adsorption rate Vr_(n) of the upgraded coal by collecting part of the upgraded coal deactivated in the deactivation processing means, and then, every time a specific time Ts elapses, collecting again part of the upgraded coal newly deactivated in the deactivation processing means, and the main arithmetic control means: calculates a stability S from the following stability calculation formula on the basis of the current oxygen adsorption rate Vr_(n) newly obtained and the oxygen adsorption rate Vr_(n-1) obtained just before the current oxygen adsorption rate Vr_(n): if the stability S is within a range of a standard value Ss, recalculates the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N from the following oxygen adsorption rate ratio recalculation formula on the basis of the oxygen adsorption rates Vd, Vr_(n); and compares the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N with the standard value Ns again, where the stability calculation formula is S=|(Vr _(n) −Vr _(n-1))|/Vr _(n), and the oxygen adsorption rate ratio recalculation formula is N=|(Vr _(n) −Vd)|/Vd.
 4. The upgraded coal production equipment according to claim 1, wherein the first oxygen adsorption rate measuring means includes: first sampling means for collecting the part of the dry coal dried by the drying means as a sample; first testing means for performing an oxygen adsorption test by exposing the sample collected by the first sampling means to oxygen containing gas at a test temperature for a test time Td; first weighing means for measuring a weight Wd1 of the sample, collected by the first sampling means, before the oxygen adsorption test and a weight Wd2 of the sample after the oxygen adsorption test; and first sub-arithmetic control means for calculating the oxygen adsorption rate Vd of the dry coal from the following dry coal oxygen adsorption rate calculation formula on the basis of the weights Wd1, Wd2 measured by the first weighing means, and the second oxygen adsorption rate measuring means includes: second sampling means for collecting the part of the upgraded coal deactivated in the deactivation processing means as a sample; second testing means for performing an oxygen adsorption test by exposing the sample collected by the second sampling means to oxygen containing gas at a test temperature for a test time Tr; second weighing means for measuring a weight Wr1 of the sample, collected by the second sampling means, before the oxygen adsorption test and a weight Wr2 of the sample after the oxygen adsorption test; and second sub-arithmetic control means for calculating the oxygen adsorption rate Vr of the upgraded coal from the following upgraded coal oxygen adsorption rate calculation formula on the basis of the weights Wr1, Wr2 measured by the second weighing means, where the dry coal oxygen adsorption rate calculation formula is Vd=(Wd2−Wd1)/(Wd1×Td)×100, and the upgraded coal oxygen adsorption rate calculation formula is Vr=(Wr2−Wr1)/(Wr1×Tr)×100.
 5. The upgraded coal production equipment according to claim 1, wherein the first oxygen adsorption rate measuring means includes: first sampling means for collecting the part of the dry coal dried by the drying means as a sample; first weighing means for measuring a weight Wd1 of the sample collected by the first sampling means; first testing means for performing an oxygen adsorption test by holding the sample collected by the first sampling means in an air tight manner for a test time Td in an inside of the first testing means filled with an oxygen containing atmosphere and maintained at a constant temperature; first pressure measuring means for measuring a pressure inside the first testing means; and first sub-arithmetic control means for calculating the oxygen adsorption rate Vd of the dry coal from the following dry coal oxygen adsorption rate calculation formula on the basis of the weight Wd1 measured by the first weighing means as well as an internal pressure Pd1 of the first testing means before the oxygen adsorption test and an internal pressure Pd2 of the first testing means just after the oxygen adsorption test which are measured by the first pressure measuring means with the inside of the first testing means held in the air tight manner while being filled with the oxygen containing atmosphere and maintained at the constant temperature, the second oxygen adsorption rate measuring means includes: second sampling means for collecting the part of the upgraded coal deactivated in the deactivation processing means as a sample; second weighing means for measuring a weight Wr1 of the sample collected by the second sampling means; second testing means for performing the oxygen adsorption test by holding the sample collected by the second sampling means in an air tight manner for a test time Tr in an inside of the second testing means filled with an oxygen containing atmosphere and maintained at a constant temperature; second pressure measuring means for measuring a pressure inside the second testing means; and second sub-arithmetic control means for calculating the oxygen adsorption rate Vr of the upgraded coal from the following upgraded coal oxygen adsorption rate calculation formula on the basis of the weight Wr1 measured by the second weighing means as well as an internal pressure Pr1 of the second testing means before the oxygen adsorption test and an internal pressure Pr2 of the second testing means just after the oxygen adsorption test which are measured by the second pressure measuring means with the inside of the second testing means held in the air tight manner while being filled with the oxygen containing atmosphere and maintained at the constant temperature, where the dry coal oxygen adsorption rate calculation formula is Vd=Qd/(Wd1×Td)×100, and the upgraded coal oxygen adsorption rate calculation formula is Vr=Qr/(Wr1×Tr)×100, where Qd represents an oxygen adsorption quantity of the dry coal and Qr represents an oxygen adsorption quantity of the upgraded coal, Qd and Qr being values obtained from the formulae shown below, Qd=[{(Pd1−Pd2)/1013}×{Cd−(Wd1/D)}]/(22.4×Wd1), Qr=[{(Pr1−Pr2)/1013}×{Cr−(Wr1/D)}]/(22.4×Wr1), where Cd represents an internal capacity of the first testing means, Cr represents an internal capacity of the second testing means, and D represents a true density of the raw-material coal.
 6. The upgraded coal production equipment according to claim 1, wherein the raw-material coal is brown coal or subbituminous coal. 